If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You will be required to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

If it has a 60 on the handle then then it most likely a overload device as well, the number is the rating of the over load amps to which it is designed to trip,

I do not think I have ever seen JUST a Switch that will fit into a breaker box that is not a over load device as well.

yes there has been some sub par breakers made that really were no more than a swtich, by some companys, but they in theory were to trip when over loaded,

If your pulling it out to down size it for the refrigerator when what diffrence does it make any way?

post a picture of the "switch".

Push sticks/blocks Save Fingers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good."
attributed to Samuel Johnson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLIC NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economy............the light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off.

Unlike all the circuit breakers, I noticed that this had no current number: 15, 20, 50, etc.
Then I read the little sticker.
Maybe an electrician installed this thinking it a circuit breaker - it looks just like one.
On the side a sticker reads: Molded Case Switch 60 A 240 V~.
"Requires overcurrent protection of equivalent rating."

Just wondering what's going on here. This house had to pass building electrical inspection for a CO.

No ability to post photos.
Picture a 2-pole circuit breaker with single handle on the right: |/ONo/OFF

either it was put in by mistake, ot maybe some home owner put it in or the contractor after inspection, or the electricl was never inspected, if power was in the house and it was rewired, it may never have been inspected,

Push sticks/blocks Save Fingers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good."
attributed to Samuel Johnson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PUBLIC NOTICE: Due to recent budget cuts, the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil...plus the current state of the economy............the light at the end of the tunnel, has been turned off.

Comment

There is a such thing as a disconnect switch box used for AC units. Square D makes it and it looks just like a circuit breaker and fits in just like a circuit breaker but it is not a circuit breaker. It is an on/off switch rated 240v 60a but it is not overload protection. You still need a breaker in the panel rated for the wire used to the device (up to 60a).

Breakers will have a clear Trip indicator window as opposed to the switch just having a black spot. I have seen them used on generators and such as a factory disconnect.

I agree they should not make them that fit into a panel spot. This is Not a NEC issue but rather one for NEMA.

Breakers are designed to be turned off under full load, but it is recommended to turn off heavier loads downstream. It does not hurt to occasionally turn on/off breakers, in fact they should be exersized at least once a year per manufacture instructions (though most people don't bother)
Other breakers that are required to be switched a lot (like lighting) need to have a SWD rating.